Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
No Brakes, Engine Racing, & ignition would not turn off, yes available for inspection at Seth Whatley Ford. Car crashed which was the only way it came to a stop, wheels were still turning when I got out of the car, if anyone one had been around they would have been hurt or killed. Towed to dealer, dealer was unable to find any evidence on their side. Insurance adjuster came out and assess the damage from crash. There was no warning lights or sensors that were working during this episode. Monday, March 27, 2023 at approximately 10am, I got into my Expedition to start my vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed as I pushed the button to start the car, and the engine was running smoothly. Foot was on the brake pedal when I put the car into reverse, the car shot out from the carport and engine was racing. …
The contact stated owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a rattling sound emitting from the engine compartment and the VIN was included in a Warranty related coverage for the cam phasers to be replaced. Approximately 4 years after the cam phasers were replaced, the rattling sound returned. The contact stated that the sound mostly occurred during cold starts, and intermittently after the vehicle had warmed up. The check engine warning light illuminated signaling a catalytic convertor failure. The contact researched and learned of Customer Satisfaction Program with the NHTSA ID Number: 10201090 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the cam phasers had failed again and needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power inadvertently. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts; however, the vehicle sputtered while restarting. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V392000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that oil was leaking from the timing valve cover and the front struts. The dealer also informed the contact that the transmission lines were leaking. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, and occasionally while driving at various speeds, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the front-end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while responding. The contact stated there was coolant leaking from the vehicle and the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the wrench symbol was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the cam phaser and timing chain had failed, and that coolant was leaking near the radiator. The contact was informed that the cam phaser and timing chain needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to TSB: 21N03-S4 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a case. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clunking sound while starting the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving a undisclosed speeds, the engine overheated. The contact stated that there was an extremely loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined the failure was related to the cam phasers. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there were no associated recalls. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The water pump was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving over 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled on two occasions. The contact stated that while driving a roundabout, the vehicle lost motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle jerked and was sluggish, and there was no area to pull over to. Upon parking the vehicle, the power train warning light was illuminated. The contact called an independent mechanic who was unable to service the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was jerking due to the CS drum and transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted regarding the latest symptoms that the vehicle had displayed. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that when the vehicle was first started during a cold morning, there was an abnormal clanking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that once the vehicle had idled for several minutes, the abnormal sound stopped. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 21N03 Cam Phaser Replacement (Engine), but the contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered abnormally with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that all 4 VTC cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03 - Supplement #4 which the vehicle had previously been repaired under; however, the cam phasers were not replaced. The contact stated that only a software update was performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver became aware that the coolant level was low. The contact stated that the engine was making an abnormal rattling sound. The front wheel was making an abnormal sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The service engine error message was sent to the Ford pass. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the water pump, cam phaser, hoses, solenoid, and timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who completed the repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, he heard a loud rattling sound coming from the engine compartment that dissipated once the vehicle reached an operational temperature. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03 (Engine Cam Phaser Replacement) Engine and Engine Cooling. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 48,000.
Engine complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2018 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 120 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2018 Ford Expedition, 31% of the model year's 382 complaints. The component named most often is engine › crank/camshaft position sensor (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Ford Expedition engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2018 Ford Expedition, though it has 14 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Ford Expedition engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 6 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.